LONDON, United Kingdom – The burial of Zimbabwe rugby international Sanele “Smiley” Sibanda has been put on hold due to an accident investigation and the coronavirus lockdown in the United Kingdom, where the giant forward perished in a road accident on May 1.
The 30-year-old lock was killed in a car crash in Hull, where he studied at the local university and played lower league club rugby.
Circumstances surrounding the accident are not yet known and local police have launched “a full investigation into it” before burial can be done, according to a close friend and Zimbabwe teammate of Sibanda.
The family of the Bulawayo-born star “has not been allowed to see his body because of all the lockdown and pending finalisation of the investigation,” said Biselele Tshamala.
Sibanda’s mother and sister live in the UK.
“I think they might end up having to cremate him. And once the Covid-19 dust settles, they can bring the ashes home,” added Tshamala.
Sibanda, known for an ever-smiling demeanor, had about 15 Test caps for Zimbabwe and was a favourite of current national team coach Brendan Dawson.
He was part of a strong Sables team that came within a whisker of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup. – Kukurigo Sports
